Abstract: The invention is an inflatable mailer having a liner that can be inflated at the point of use. The liner includes a series of inflatable chambers that are in fluid communication with a common channel. A controlled volume of gas is disposed in the liner. The gas is sufficient to inflate the common channel but is not sufficient to appreciably inflate the inflatable chambers. As a result, the inflatable mailer is in a relatively compact state. The invention includes an apparatus for inflating the mailer. The apparatus includes a nip for moving the controlled volume of gas into the common channel; an inflation nozzle adapted to pierce the inflated common channel and introduce a second portion of gas into the liner until the liner is inflated to a desired level; and a sealing device to seal the inflated liner.

Abstract: A fluid dispenser generally includes a housing and a valving rod disposed in and movable within the housing, the valving rod including a central bore, at least one inlet for receiving a cleaning fluid composed of a solvent and a gas, and one or more outlet ports in fluid communication with the bore, wherein the outlet ports are capable of directing cleaning fluid radially outwards from the bore and against an interior surface of the dispenser to facilitate the removal of at least a portion of any fluid product or derivatives thereof that may be in adherence with such interior surface.

Abstract: A method includes advancing an apparatus having an elongated member transorally into the stomach. The apparatus includes a distal end effector having first and second members configured to engage tissue. The first and second members are movable relatively toward one another generally in a first plane. The method includes moving the distal end effector relative to the elongated member in the first plane such that the distal end effector is retroflexed out of alignment with the elongated member to position the first and second members for engagement with the tissue. At least one of the first and second members carries a fixation device for fixing engaged portions of tissue together.

Abstract: A fluid dispenser generally includes a housing and a valving rod disposed in and movable within the housing, the valving rod including a central bore, at least one inlet for receiving a cleaning fluid composed of a solvent and a gas, and one or more outlet ports in fluid communication with the bore, wherein the outlet ports are capable of directing cleaning fluid radially outwards from the bore and against an interior surface of the dispenser to facilitate the removal of at least a portion of any fluid product or derivatives thereof that may be in adherence with such interior surface.

Abstract: A fluid dispenser generally includes a housing and a valving rod disposed in and movable within the housing, the valving rod including a central bore, at least one inlet for receiving a cleaning fluid composed of a solvent and a gas, and one or more outlet ports in fluid communication with the bore, wherein the outlet ports are capable of directing cleaning fluid radially outwards from the bore and against an interior surface of the dispenser to facilitate the removal of at least a portion of any fluid product or derivatives thereof that may be in adherence with such interior surface.

Abstract: A medical instrument for engaging tissue includes a flexible shaft, a tissue piercing coil at a distal portion of the shaft, and a tissue stabilizer positioned over the shaft and biased in a distal direction such that as the tissue piercing coil enters tissue, the tissue stabilizer is urged against a surface of the tissue. A medical instrument for reconfiguring tissue includes a flexible shaft defining a lumen housing actuating controls, and a distal actuating assembly with a sealing portion configured to substantially seal the shaft lumen from contact with bodily fluids. A cartridge assembly includes first and second members configured for releasable attachment to a medical instrument, and a holder configured to receive the first and second members and to be released from the first and second members upon action of the first and second members attaching to the medical instrument.

Abstract: A medical instrument for engaging tissue includes a flexible shaft, a tissue piercing coil at a distal portion of the shaft, and a tissue stabilizer positioned over the shaft and biased in a distal direction such that as the tissue piercing coil enters tissue, the tissue stabilizer is urged against a surface of the tissue. A medical instrument for reconfiguring tissue includes a flexible shaft defining a lumen housing actuating controls, and a distal actuating assembly with a sealing portion configured to substantially seal the shaft lumen from contact with bodily fluids. A cartridge assembly includes first and second members configured for releasable attachment to a medical instrument, and a holder configured to receive the first and second members and to be released from the first and second members upon action of the first and second members attaching to the medical instrument.

Abstract: A medical instrument for engaging tissue includes a flexible shaft, a tissue piercing coil at a distal portion of the shaft, and a tissue stabilizer positioned over the shaft and biased in a distal direction such that as the tissue piercing coil enters tissue, the tissue stabilizer is urged against a surface of the tissue. A medical instrument for reconfiguring tissue includes a flexible shaft defining a lumen housing actuating controls, and a distal actuating assembly with a sealing portion configured to substantially seal the shaft lumen from contact with bodily fluids. A cartridge assembly includes first and second members configured for releasable attachment to a medical instrument, and a holder configured to receive the first and second members and to be released from the first and second members upon action of the first and second members attaching to the medical instrument.

Abstract: A medical instrument for engaging tissue includes a flexible shaft, a tissue piercing coil at a distal portion of the shaft, and a tissue stabilizer positioned over the shaft and biased in a distal direction such that as the tissue piercing coil enters tissue, the tissue stabilizer is urged against a surface of the tissue. A medical instrument for reconfiguring tissue includes a flexible shaft defining a lumen housing actuating controls, and a distal actuating assembly with a sealing portion configured to substantially seal the shaft lumen from contact with bodily fluids. A cartridge assembly includes first and second members configured for releasable attachment to a medical instrument, and a holder configured to receive the first and second members and to be released from the first and second members upon action of the first and second members attaching to the medical instrument.

Abstract: A fluid dispenser generally includes a housing and a valving rod disposed in and movable within the housing, the valving rod including a central bore, at least one inlet for receiving a cleaning fluid composed of a solvent and a gas, and one or more outlet ports in fluid communication with the bore, wherein the outlet ports are capable of directing cleaning fluid radially outwards from the bore and against an interior surface of the dispenser to facilitate the removal of at least a portion of any fluid product or derivatives thereof that may be in adherence with such interior surface.

Abstract: A method includes advancing an apparatus having an elongated member transorally into the stomach. The apparatus includes a distal end effector having first and second members configured to engage tissue. The first and second members are movable relatively toward one another generally in a first plane. The method includes moving the distal end effector relative to the elongated member in the first plane such that the distal end effector is retroflexed out of alignment with the elongated member to position the first and second members for engagement with the tissue. At least one of the first and second members carries a fixation device for fixing engaged portions of tissue together.

Abstract: A bag forming apparatus and method that features a single drive unit for operating both a drive roller and cross-cut mechanism with the drive motor assembly being internalized within the drive roller. The bag forming apparatus and method also features a easy slide in, slide out edge sealer and vent hole former inserts that are held by, and move with, the bag width adjustable driven rollers. The edge seal inserts feature a heating element that is compressed against the film material by an internal bias in the edge sealer insert. A heating element can also be used for the vent hole inserts. The heating element can be a plug-in heating unit easily inserted and removed from the remainder of the insert.

Abstract: A mixing chamber assembly which has a reciprocating rod (270) received within a mixing chamber of a mixing chamber member (28). The reciprocating rod (270) is in a non-interference position with the mixing chamber over its entire length within the mixing chamber. The non-interference fit provides for continuous solvent flow about the exterior of the rod and interior of the wall defining the mixing chamber such that solvent drips out the discharge end of the mixing chamber and the rod is free to float or ride on a film of solvent. The ability for the rod to ride on a film of solvent over the entire portion received within the mixing chamber, allows for a much reduced reciprocating motive force requirement and a corresponding freedom to increase the mixing chamber volume.

Abstract: A foam bag cushion forming system for forming foam bag cushions with a vertical side edge sealer that forms vertical side edge seals in the film material with the foam introduction preferably occurring after the downstream side seal is formed, before the upstream side edge seal is formed, and while the film material is being shifted from one to the other. An upper edge sealer operates to seal the upper end of the film material downstream from the dispenser and preferably also downstream from the side edge sealer. Through operation of the end and side edge sealers and the foam dispenser, a foam bag cushion chain is formed. A bag cushion moving and confinement assembly is positioned to receive the bag chain and features two elongated members defining a bag cushion confinement space between them. At least one of the elongated members supports or represents a bag cushion movement device (e.g.

Abstract: A bag forming apparatus and method with single drive unit operating a drive roller and a cross-cut mechanism with the drive motor assembly being internalized within the drive roller. The apparatus is particularly designed for feeding, solely through use of a full film width contact drive roller, film material derived from a single supply roll of two ply film material. The arrangement avoids tracking problems, as well as any requirement for a supply roll driving, braking and tension monitoring. The supply roll can be laid in position on underlying, passive support rollers prevented from inertia induced over-rolling by a passive friction device which tension in the film material being fed between the single, cylindrical drive roller and an opposing pair of spaced, driven rollers in a pinching relationship with the film material being fed past the drive roller.

Abstract: A mixing chamber assembly which has a reciprocating rod received within a mixing chamber of a mixing chamber member. The reciprocating rod is in a non-interference position with the mixing chamber over its entire length within the mixing chamber. The non-interference fit provides for continuous solvent flow about the exterior of the rod and interior of the wall defining the mixing chamber such that solvent drips out the discharge end of the mixing chamber and the rod is free to float or ride on a film of solvent. The term "solvent" can include a combination of solvent and other ingredients such as lubricants, emulsifiers and flow control particles. The ability for the rod to ride on a film of solvent over the entire portion received within the mixing chamber, allows for a much reduced reciprocating motive force requirement and a corresponding freedom to increase the mixing chamber volume.

Abstract: Mixing chamber assembly having a reciprocating rod within a mixing chamber of a mixing chamber member. The rod is in a non-interference position with the mixing chamber over its entire length within the mixing chamber. The non-interference fit provides continuous solvent flow about the exterior of the rod and interior of the wall defining the mixing chamber so solvent drips out the discharge end of the mixing chamber and the rod is free to float or ride on a solvent film. "Solvent" can include a combination of solvent and other ingredients such as lubricants, emulsifiers and flow control particles. The rod's ability to ride on a solvent film over the entire portion received within the mixing chamber, allows for a much reduced reciprocating motive force requirement and a corresponding freedom to increase the mixing chamber volume.

Abstract: A driver circuit that is responsive to an input AC voltage provides a variable drive signal to a load circuit, such as, a solenoid coil, for each actuation of a switch where the variable drive signal duration is determined by the setting of a variable resistor. In one embodiment, a sine wave shaper produces a positive edge variably delayed square wave timing signal for a continuously clocked flip-flop. In response to the switch actuation, the clocked flip-flop generates a control signal for a selected period of time that is related to one cycle of the AC input voltage. In another embodiment, a one shot produces a positive edge variable delayed square wave timing signal in response to the switch, the signal then being received by another one shot which creates a control signal for a selected period of time that is related to one cycle of the AC input voltage. The selected period of time occurs only during the positive portion of the input AC voltage cycle.

Abstract: A ratchet spinner comprises a centrally apertured disk with a serrated peripheral edge. An integral segmented collar surrounds the central disk aperture and protrudes axially therefrom. The segmented collar defines a plurality of flat sided flanges arranged tangentially with respect to the circumference of the central aperture.